Finding A Tight End
February 7th, 2014
Injury-prone Tom Crabtree may force the Bucs to draft a tight end.
People say the Bucs have talent. They do. There are also as many holes as there is talent.
Take tight end, a position Bucs fans love to kvetch about. Joe can think of no other position in the past two years Bucs fans grumbled more to their bartender about. Even when the Bucs had hobbled Kellen Winslow, the position was not top shelf.
(Joe will spare you the references today to Winslow’s Target-parking-lot, Vaseline-heavy, fake-pot-smelling, jerk-chicken moment in Jersey.)
ESPN’s Pat Yasinskas sees the hole at tight end too and lists the tight end position as the No. 3 need for the Bucs.
Even before injuries set in last season, this was not a position of strength. Although the Bucs reportedly would have strongly considered drafting a tight end in the first round if they hadn’t traded that pick away for Darrelle Revis, the Bucs didn’t end up making any major moves at this position.
The Bucs have to upgrade this position to bring balance to their offense. Wright still has plenty of untapped upside, but the Bucs need to bring in an all-purpose tight end through the draft or free agency.
Yes, Tim Wright was a nice find, but since he is a receiver, he’s not known much for his blocking. Then again, what kind of a blocker is Jimmy Graham?
Joe believes the Luke Stocker Experiment has run its course. Time to move on from this guy.
The dark horse is Tom Crabtree. The Bucs had high hopes for Crabtree when they signed him. Known as a crushing blocker with the Packers prior to last season, the Bucs saw enough of his patch-catching abilities on tape to go after him. Problem for Crabtree was he was hobbled with injuries most of the season before finally going on the injured reserve list.
Depending on how well Wright continues to develop, and if Crabtree can come back healthy, tight end may be a position to monitor in May’s draft.
February 7th, 2014 at 4:11 pm
Its alright, out TE wont be featured in this offensive scheme. lmao.
February 7th, 2014 at 4:13 pm
Funny guy on twitter is crab, hopefully he works out.
Tim Wright will be a star.
Seen it in my crystal ball 😉
February 7th, 2014 at 4:18 pm
I think they need to keep feeding wright the ball!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#3 need? what is he smoking
OL #1
DL #2
MLB / WR #’s 3 & 4
another DL or OL #5
not to mention a backup QB. TE is down the list. just shows these guys know little about teams . how could they be experts on 32 teams. they just read the highlights and spew opinions and people take it as gospel
February 7th, 2014 at 4:21 pm
Besides Tim Wright, our TE group was the worst in the NFL. It was pathetic to watch this team to try and run jumbo sets with these atrocious TE’s. If we are looking for a TE in free agency, Scott Chandler is a great value pick. Won’t wow you in anything but is a good blocker, great size, and has good hands. I think if Wright gains 10-15 pounds he can be the 2nd best TE in the division (behing Jimmy of course). If were looking to draft a TE, Austin Seferian-Jenkins from Washington is the complete package. Great speed, as big as Jimmy Graham and a better blocker.
February 7th, 2014 at 4:28 pm
Put Tim Wright in a secure off site bunker, then nuke the TE room. This unit needs a complete do over!
February 7th, 2014 at 4:34 pm
I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.
-Voltaire
February 7th, 2014 at 4:41 pm
Eric Ebron (TE from Carolina) would be a fantastic addition to the offense. He’s got great hands and is also a good blocker. Watch a few of his highlight videos and you’ll be impressed at what this kid can do. If we got him in the draft, Wright could move into the 3rd receiver spot.
February 7th, 2014 at 4:46 pm
I’ve seen a ton of mock drafts having Austin Seferian Jenkins dropping to the second round. There’s your stud. Unlikely to be a better playing in rd.2 than him.
February 7th, 2014 at 5:06 pm
Joe, are there any injured TE’s that nobody wants, that we can give up a second and fifth round to trade then we will make him the highest paid TE in the league. He won’t be able to practice ever and will bearly show up for off-season activities. He will play for a year and a half and then limp around for another year and a half. Licht should do this, just so we can say how he is a “rockstar” and how he stole from other GM’s
February 7th, 2014 at 5:10 pm
@Joe – I like how you managed to spare us without sparing us on Winslow. Ya just can’t help yourself once you get a tag for a guy. one of the quirks that makes the site what it is. Just got a chuckle out of it
February 7th, 2014 at 5:15 pm
@Joe……. I haven’t been drinking nor hanging with icky-sticky K2 but would we be able to throw a crap-load of money towards Jimmy Graham ??? I know they can franchise him, does he have to sign it ? Can we make him an offer first. We can even drop Glennon off on Bourbon St for free.
February 7th, 2014 at 5:19 pm
How is Crabtree injury prone??? He got injured before the season even started then Schiano tried to bring him back too early. Crabtree was my favorite addition last season and It sucked that he got hurt so early. But before last season, I don’t recall him having issues with his durability. He could serve as a good no. 1 TE if wright can’t pickup the blocking part. Crabtree is big with really good hands.
February 7th, 2014 at 5:24 pm
@bwf921
If they franchise him we would have to give up a 1st round and another pick and still pay the man a boatload… But yes Jimmy can refuse to sign it till the 10th week of the regular season then sign it so it counts as a football year and become a UDFA the following year but while doing that he won’t be getting paid and I think fined. We aren’t getting Graham sadly
February 7th, 2014 at 5:26 pm
@Kevin
Crab was injured in GB the year before and gets dinged up easily supposedly
February 7th, 2014 at 5:27 pm
Obviously Bucfan4lyf u haven’t heard of the Raiders. Tim wright is good. We just need depth.
February 7th, 2014 at 5:30 pm
@Phillip……. That sucks. Can we still drop off Glennon for free.
February 7th, 2014 at 5:31 pm
Uh huh huh huh huh huh huh….
You’re looking for a tight end?
Uh huh huh huh huh huh huh….
February 7th, 2014 at 5:32 pm
@bwf921
We can get atleast a 6th for him lol
Too bad Schiano didn’t get the Browns job.. Licht probably could have gotten a 1st round and a 3rd for Glennon lol
February 7th, 2014 at 5:52 pm
JR
You’re right, we were the 31st worst in the NFL with TE’s lol. I love Wright, just hope he gains a good 10-15 pounds so he can be a better blocker, terrific catcher and route runner.
February 7th, 2014 at 5:55 pm
graham looks to have lost a step or 2. let’s not do nicks 2.0
February 7th, 2014 at 5:56 pm
As you can tell by posts, I am not in favor of Glennon. As a back up maybe, yes maybe. But as far as a TE goes, I think T Wright will be great. Another year and added weight and he could be a great weapon. He will more than likely be a Kellen Winslow type, not a blocker but can catch a ton of balls. Stocker is made of glass and even if he stayed healthy I just don’t see him as an elite tight end. Just like our QB situation I am tired of mediocre guys at certain positions. I know you can’t draft/sign all pro-bowl players but you’ve got teams all over the league finding tight ends on the street, ex basketball players etc. Time maybe to think out of the box.
February 7th, 2014 at 6:21 pm
how about a4th on that freak
6’6″ 275 pound notre dame t.e. and a 2 on jace or Jenkins…that’s 2 t e’s this draft
February 7th, 2014 at 7:01 pm
Crabtree is not injury prone. In GB he only missed 2 games in 3 years. The only reason he was injured in the last preseason game was because Stocker blew a block and him and the defensive end fell on Crabtree ankle. It was funny though before Crabtree came back the running game was not going very good, then he comes back the running game picked up alot, then after he went on IR the running game dropped off. Now I am not saying he was 100% reason the running game improved but it is just an interesting stat.
Crabtree has never been a fan favorite of the fantasy football leaguers because he did not put up big numbers in GB, but if you think about it when Rodgers dropped back to pass here were his option he could throw too; Jenning, Nelson, Finley, Jones, Cobb, Driver. There is only one ball to go around.
I think he will stick with TB because of his blocking, character, work ethic. and intelligence. Plus he might suprise you in the passing game
February 7th, 2014 at 7:17 pm
I keep saying that I think Tim Wright is going to be a stud. He might not be a jimmy graham or gronkowski mold. But within that kellen winslow, aaron hernandez mold. I know bad examples of people I’m talking ball players tho I can definantly see that. He was becoming a threat later in the year you could tell because of how Defenses attacked him doubled him played one man over and one defender under him. Imagine if mike will comes back and we get a legit slot guy. He’s going to be left one on one with a lb or corner. Kids going to be a stud.
February 7th, 2014 at 7:53 pm
@ Bucs realist- that was awesome.
The tight end position will now be implemented in the offense under Love Smith. Another target to throw at. Thats just crazy talk.
Wright will make an excellent wide receiver but he is too small for TE.
February 7th, 2014 at 8:38 pm
TE over DE?
February 7th, 2014 at 10:22 pm
Right with you Jordan on “Eric Ebron” would be a great addition to our offense.
February 7th, 2014 at 10:35 pm
Bucfan4lyf how bout jets, titans and even baltimore. Just need more depth. Tim wright is a diamond in the ruff.
February 7th, 2014 at 11:14 pm
Tim Wright is pretty raw. Even as just a receiver. But he’s got outstanding hands and is not as small and incapable of blocking as most seem to say. Some good coaching and skies the limit for him.
Also gotta hand it to Glennon for bringing out the best in his fellow rookie. Timmy caught quite a few while taking some hits and it was that goofy lookin dude dropping it in some pretty small windows.
February 7th, 2014 at 11:22 pm
Ebron is one of the players I like if we trade down….I don’t like him at 7….but if we can pick up a couple of picks… then I like taking him later in the first.
Even without another TE….Wright & a healthy Crabtree may be OK.
February 7th, 2014 at 11:58 pm
Just watched some highlights of Ebron, and all I got to say is WOW!!! One play in particular he was running a crossing pattern and made a one handed catch full extension and ran all the way for a touchdown. Very impressed with this kid, some team will be lucky to have drafted him.
February 8th, 2014 at 9:09 am
bucs should go with wright and crabtree but we stilll need some depth at te
February 8th, 2014 at 11:32 am
ASJ gets my vote….might have to trade back up I to the first though. Ala Doug Martin. But he seems the most well rounded.